Picture-frame.



JAMES McLELI-AN, 0F KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS.

PICTURE-FRAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 24, 1913.

Patented Nov. a, 1213.

Serial No. 763,224.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JAMES MoLELLAN, a subject of the King of England, and a resident of the city of Kankakee, county of Kankakee, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Picture-Frames, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to collapsible picture frames and the object of this improvement is to provide a simple effective frame constructed of thick paper, card-board, leather, celluloid or like material, having frame forming flaps formed on a portion of the frame which are adapted when folded to be locked in folded position suitable for being sent through the mails or for convenient storage and adapted when the lockin portions are removed to be folded in erected position for use. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a plan View of the frame completely unfolded, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the frame folded and locked for sending through the mail or the like, Fig. 3 is a section of the same taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a section taken on the same line when the frame is erected for use.

The preferred form of construction as illustrated in the drawing comprises a backing sheet 5 which forms the back of the frame and may be provided with any suitable configurations which will adapt the device to be sent through the mails, such as the name, address and postage stamp adapting it for sending through the mails.

On the backing sheet 5 is secured a perforated sheet 6 having an offset portion which forms pockets between the sheets 5 and G. The portions of sheets 5 and 6 which are in contact are provided with an adhesive to secure them rigidly together. The sheet 6 is provided with end flaps 8 and side flaps 9. The flaps 8 and 9 are creased adapting them to be folded on lines 10, 11 and 12. The portion of the flaps betwe n 1.0 an .1

forming the upright or edge portions of the frame when folded, the portions between 11 and 12 forming the face of the frame and the portions outside of lines 12 forming flaps which engage the pocket 7 to maintain the frame in locked condition. On the flaps are formed locking flaps 13 which are provided with perforations 1a adapting them to be removed when so desired. One of the locking strips 13 is provided with an adhesive material and adapted to engage the other of the flaps 18 to lock the frame in folded position such as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. When in this condition the frame is adapted to be sent through the mails or for packing and storage. Then it is desired to open the frame for erecting the end portions 15 of the flaps 13 are grasped by the operator and the flaps 13 torn away from the flaps outside of lines 12 on the portions 9 to permit interlocking the frame forming flaps 8 and 9. -When the flaps 13 are removed the flaps on the outside of lines 12 are engaged in the pockets 7 to lock the frame in upright position. An opening 16 is provided in sheet 6 to expose a picture on the sheet 5 or when so desired a picture may be placed in the pockets 7 against plate 5.

lVhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a picture frame, the combination of a flexible sheet having foldable frame forming flaps on its edges, detachable locking edge portions carried by flapson opposite edges of said flexible sheet, said edge portions when secured together locking the frame in collapsed condition, substantially as described.

2. In a picture frame, the COmbHIZLtIOII with a rectangular sheet havlng foldable frame forming flaps on its edges, of locking Strips formed integrally on the outer ends of flaps on opposite edges of said sheet, said name to this specification in the presence locking strips being secured together, and of two subscribing witnesses. there being a line of severing perforations between each locking strip and its flap on JAMES MCLELLAN' 5 which it is formed, substantially as de- Witnesses:

scribed. H. C. TOPPING, In testimony whereof I have signed my H. MEACHEM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each; by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0." 

